Why Cowboys should consider paying both top-dollar WRs

ARLINGTON — Spoiler alert: Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens didn’t become the second receiver in team history to have three straight games of 140 yards. He had to settle for a measly 88 yards receiving, one highlight-reel catch and run and hurdle, and multiple pass interferences drawn in Dallas’ 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving.

Even though Pickens didn’t accomplish that feat, there was at least one person who believed he could accomplish it. That would be the only person in Cowboys’ history to do it.

“I know he can do it,” fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said before Thursday’s win.

But can the Cowboys afford to make that happen?

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It’s a question that wasn’t necessarily expected initially after the Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and yet it’s become one that’s lingered. It’s grown louder with each week, just as the answer to it. It’s transformed: From pondering whether Pickens, an impending free agent, will be on the Cowboys after this season, to what kind of deal he will ultimately get? The website overthecap.com projects the franchise tag for wide receivers to be just over $28 million. Pickens’ market value, according to the same website, is projected at just over $30 million.

Can the Cowboys afford two receivers with deals averaging more than $30 million a year, in addition to a $60 million quarterback and a defensive line that features three players with a cumulative cap hit of over $62 million next year?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) last week that yes, they can. It will take some financial gymnastics, though. The Cowboys are currently projected to be roughly $47 million over the cap in 2026, though they have some options to create space with restructures and potentially releasing some players.

Should they? That question is up for debate.

The caveat example, at least externally, has been the Cincinnati Bengals. They mulled the idea of paying two receivers big contracts for a couple of years. They even franchise tagged Tee Higgins, their No. 2 wide receiver next to star Ja’Marr Chase, for two straight years before they decided to pay Higgins a massive extension. The fiscal ramifications of having an abundance of assets devoted to the receiver position came to a head this season when the Bengals struggled to come to a contract resolution with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. They ultimately settled on a one-year deal and pay raise, though that likely delayed his departure, which could happen in free agency this year. The Bengals were also without star quarterback Joe Burrow for most of this season. He played in his third game Thursday and improved his record to 3-0 this season with a win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Bengals have also showed success with two receivers, however. It’s a big reason why they went to the Super Bowl in 2021 and the conference finals in 2022. Chase and Higgins had more than 2,000 combined receiving yards in both of those season.

The team that beat them in the Super Bowl in 2021, the Los Angeles Rams, have also shown the benefit of having two talented receivers on the same offense. The Rams — perhaps the Super Bowl favorite in the NFC — currently have it with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The tandem has combined for 1,578 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Pickens and Lamb have combined for 11 receiving touchdowns and 1,886 yards receiving.

There’s a reason when Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked earlier this season about whether he wants to keep Pickens and Lamb around, he laughed and paused before he answered.

“Sign me up,” he said.

With Pickens and Lamb, the Cowboys also have insurance policies. Lamb missed three games with an ankle sprain he suffered in the first quarter of the loss against the Bears. In that stretch, Pickens had 359 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 19 catches.

When they are together on the field, they provide options for Schottenheimer as a playcaller and Dak Prescott at quarterback. After Thursday’s win, when he took on the starring role, Lamb was asked about the recent stretch the tandem of he and Pickens have had.

“That’s no surprise. we all know who we’ve got in the room — together,” Lamb said. “And as a unit, I feel like that’s the expectation.”

It’s now expected that this won’t be their last year together, as well.

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